​For the last couple of months I've not concerned myself with the ridding of my armpit hair.

This has all been welcome in "hippie" or "empowered women/feminist/lesbian culture. In fact, in moments it's felt like it gives me more cred there. Its proven a bit of an edge for me specifically because I've been at the gym working out and showering more communally than I ever have before. It's also entering into the summer heat, which means the wearing of tank tops and sleeveless things.

When I'm in the locker room and pull my dress on over my head will anyone notice? And I recognize that the concern that arises for me is, will they then detect my masculine?

Will they detect the part of me who has ravished women and has explored myself in my predatory, penetrative self? Will they determine that I'm not a conforming woman?Will they see me as a threat or traitor in their midst?Will they sniff out my embrace and welcoming of my inner masculine and project onto me all their fears of men?

And I also realize that, as a cis woman, who outwardly appears very feminine, it's unlikely I'll actually need to deal with someone noticing my masculine in such a context. My concern over some armpit hair gives me an itty bitty taste of the trans experience- that at any moment someone may feel justified to challenge my right to belong.I've never had to deal with someone insisting I'm not the gender I identify myself as to them. That's a particular experience.

Recently I was misgendered for a moment in a way that works for me. It was dusk and I'd just pulled into a parking lot that straddles a block between two streets and services a number of restaurants. I'd opened my door and was sending a text when I became aware of a woman walking quickly across the lot. A male voice was pursuing her, saying aggressive and unkind things. I stood up and moved into the periphery of the man's path. Mid sentence he turned towards me and was a bit startled, but in that moment looked me squarely in the eye. "I'm sorry, Sir. I mean, Ma'am!" He was embarrassed by his 'obvious' mistake. Then he stammered something about the history of their relationship. I shrugged and continued looking him in the eye with solid presence- just letting him know that I saw him. He stopped talking and trotted ahead to catch up with the woman. I never said a word. Apparently my masculine said enough. And not just my masculine, but the potent totality of me in that moment.

I've now decided that I feel cooler without the underarm hair and also less pungent. So, I'm shaving again due to that personal hygiene choice. But the point is that it's now something I've played with and can be consciously chosen rather than blindly followed for social reasons. And the totality of me is feeling more integrated and grateful for the opportunity to come around to the choice on my own.​I'm also aware that men are expected to *not* shave their arm or leg hair. If I were identified as a male, I wonder what I would think of that.

I was in the process of moving into my new home when it happened...I was carrying a load from the back of the car into the house. Easily. Swiftly. I’d packed well. It was late morning and there were several workmen digging around the exterior of the house, hired by me to replace the drainage system. One of them was passing by on the driveway, precariously pushing a wheelbarrow overflowing with heavy, muddy tools. Upon seeing me he dropped it with a hurried clatter, already moving towards me as he called out, “Here, let me help you with that!”

I was recently supported in a Hakomi Therapy process that gave me a breakthrough around what’s been stopping me from promoting my work. It was the last day of our second year of training and the invitation was to partner up and explore what we were creating in our professional life moving forward. We isolated the moment when someone asks me, “What do you do?”I could feel my heart quicken and jump upward in my chest while my upper back had the sensation of already running away. Because what I want to respond with includes the words “intimacy and sexuality.”

​Ooof. I just witnessed a rough interaction.​I was sitting at a communal table at a busy Starbucks and a man and woman, both in their mid 20’s, entered. Without buying a drink, they sat down next to me and across from each other. He pulled out and set in front of him a yellow pad, which I never saw him write on. There was a moment of awkwardness as they settled in their seats and then he dove in. "Have you ever had sexual relations with one of your employees?""No!" She responded, clearly caught completely off guard. He asked her a few more questions. I gathered from the exchange that she's a manager at a corporate restaurant. Then he pulled out of his nylon briefcase legal sized color photocopies of screen shots of a text exchange between Jose and...

​True powerIs when a partner can pick you over the cacophony. When the presence of you is distinct enough to pierce through distraction.And provide a beacon of haven delighting for a soul. It is when you can light an individual more beautifully than they have ever been lit before.And then understand that they are not meant for your gazing alone.

True powerIs transparency suspended on a spine of integrity Where that light shines through unobstructed By shame, need, or fear.It is when you hold someone with all the certain strength of Love. And in the embrace of you there is still room to dance.

ForTrue powerIs found in nurturing reflection of radiance Like in a room full of mirrorsBack and forth, back and forth, back and forth…

​" Just like any other aspect of intimacy, the key is presenceand authenticity."

​I’ll admit it. I have turned down a follow up date solely based on not enjoying the kissing. Kissing is a powerful, intimate thing which can either cause my insides to recoil or to blossom and vibrate. I’m sure (I hope!) all sexually active adults have had the experience of a kiss launching us down the slope from a “Maybe…” to a “Hell yes!”

​But a less than enjoyable kissing style is a really hard thing to talk about with a new partner. Possibly even more difficult that sex. Why is this? Is it because people get identified with their kissing style and tricks almost like a signature? Anyway, it's tough ego ground to traverse.

Rather than break down how to broach the subject of unsatisfactory kissing with another person, (I feel another post coming!) here's some tips so that you can relax and offer your own full partnership. ​